Cassano has starred while on loan at Sampdoria from Real Madrid this season but has often found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons - most notably when he threw his shirt at a referee after being sent off against Torino.

The 25-year-old played at Euro 2004 but did not make it to the 2006 World Cup after being left out by then coach Marcello Lippi.

Cassano was a bit-part player during the 2008 qualifying campaign but will be on the plane for Austria and Switzerland.

"All the players I have named deserve it," Donadoni said.

"I told Cassano: enough gambles, gambles are for 16- or 17-year-old players. For him the time of gambles is over.

"Cassano has a great opportunity and knows what it means to be in this group. Cassano will have to live up to that."

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The notoriously temperamental Cassano fell out with the coaching staff at Roma before problems with his attitude also saw him drift out of the first-team picture at Madrid.

"I know Cassano's value and what he can give," added Donadoni. "What has happened in the past is not that important, what happens next is."

Donadoni also selected Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero, this year's leading scorer in Serie A, but could not find a place for another experienced striker, Filippo Inzaghi.

Del Piero, 33, was instrumental in Italy's World Cup-winning campaign in Germany two years ago but was not always involved in Euro 2008 qualifying as he was playing in Serie B for Juve following their demotion for their part in the match-fixing scandal.

But his recent resurgence has convinced Donadoni to give him another go.

Fellow World Cup-winner Inzaghi was not so fortunate despite overcoming a knee injury to finish the 2007/08 campaign in form.

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